Hendricks County Conversations with Rick Myers and Gus Pearcy Rick Myers

We are joined by one of the pioneers of education for special needs children and adults. Debbie Anderson is the founder and executive director of Strides to Success, an equine education provider in Plainfield. Anderson is credited with several innovations in therapy with animals, specifically horses. You will hear about the nonprofit and how it helps students and adults with learning some valuable life skills and more. You'll also hear about a special event coming for the holidays. As always, you will learn about a unique aspect in Hendricks County which we converse about, hence the name.

Hendricks County has a real gem in the Hendricks Symphony. One of the last all-volunteer orchestras in Central Indiana, the symphony is a group of dedicated musicians who just love what they do. One of the volunteers is Dr. Albert Lilly, who not only plays trumpet but is the president for the whole organization. Lilly is an accomplished musician who has a list of prestigious credits. He has played with several orchestras and plays on several recordings. He will share some details about the symphony's most popular concert of the year: Sounds of the Season. It's a holiday concert performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at Calvary United Methodist Church, 575 W. Northfield Drive, Brownsburg. Tickets are still available for this concert filled with all of your favorites. Lilly says there isn't a tune you won't know. We also talk about the needs of the organization including time and treasure. It's an in-depth conversation that goes pretty fast.

Will Lacey has been with the Danville Parks and Recreation Department for 16 years. He's been the director for eight, so if anyone knows there way around the popular Winterland Light Show in Ellis Park, it's him. There are some new things happening in the park light show this year plus we will hear about the changes that have been made since the light show began some 24 years ago. We also stray off topic about the new facility for concerts in Ellis Park and we talk about Danville and the future. Lacey is also the assistant town manager, so he knows the intricacies about local government. This will get you in the holiday spirit! Winterland runs 6-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday for $5 a carload and 6-10 p.m. Friday through Sunday for $10 a carload. Closed Christmas Day.

So, you know you want to shop local, right? And you know you want to get your Christmas shopping done early, right? Well, this is the show for you. In partnership with Visit Hendricks County, the Hendricks County ICON published a local merchant gift guide. One of a Kind Finds Gift Guide which is also available on the Visit Hendricks County website at VisitHendricksCounty.com. There you want to look for "gift guide." Our guest is the  consummate communicator Josh Duke who did some of the shopping himself. This is an alternative look at this year's gift guide which has only items you can get in Hendricks County. You will get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a gift guide and more importantly, items you could buy for me. Enjoy.

If you've never heard of the Honor Flights, then pull up a chair for this episode. Dale True is the chair of this organization which gives free trips to Washington D.C. to veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Indy Honor Flight has been flying veterans to the WWII Memorial in a one-day trip since 2012. You can't imagine the passion for honoring these men and women through this great organization. Not only does True explain the source of his passion, but tells us how to get involved. If you are inclined, visit IndyHonorFlight.org or their Facebook page for the latest updates. COVID-19 put the brakes to these flights, but True said he hopes they can begin trips again in April. It's a Veterans Day special on this episode of Hendricks County Conversations.

We've got a great episode today. Jim Graham of Brownsburg has a fascinating life story from Danville to Brownsburg through the Navy and Afghanistan, Jim, who is 88 years old, has certainly given back to his community and world. You won't believe what Jim had to do to get in the U.S. Navy or his accomplishments in Afghanistan along with his lovely wife Roberta, in ridding the world of polio and improving global health. It's a great story that begins when you hit the play button!